Moore headed back to Indy, this time with Titans

You are here

Share

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak walks the sideline in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Texans won 24-10. With the win, the Texans clinched their second-straight playoff berth, a franchise-record 11th win this season, and their first season sweep of The Titans. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tom Moore is awfully busy at the Titans' facilities for a man without a defined role.

He sits in during Tennessee quarterback meetings. He pulls Titans aside at practice to offer tips and suggestions.

The 74-year-old former Colts' assistant is expected to be in Tennessee's coaching box on Sunday in Indianapolis when the Titans take on his old team. Titans receiver Nate Washington says it must feel a little strange for Moore, who spent so much time coaching Peyton Manning.

"I don't think he's one of the type of guys that lives on, 'Hey when I was here doing this" or "when I was there doing that,'" Washington said Thursday. "He's not that type of guy. ... I'm sure he'll have some type of crazy feelings."

What Moore thinks about his latest stint coaching in a career in the 1960s before he moved to the NFL in the 1970s remains unknown. He hasn't spoken with reporters since arriving in Nashville a week ago.

The coach with three Super Bowl rings with Pittsburgh and Indianapolis finished working with Colts (8-4) after the 2010 season. He did some consulting with the New York Jets last year before spending the last month of the season with the team, and Titans coach Mike Munchak said Moore consulted with Alabama earlier this season.

Munchak called Moore last week after the Titans coach fired offensive coordinator Chris Palmer on Nov. 26, and Moore has no title and is just considered a member of the staff. Munchak is hoping Moore sticks around through the rest of this season.

"We didn't sign a four-week contract or anything, it's kind of a week-to-week thing," Munchak said. "I assume it's going to all work out to where he'll be there through the end of the season."

The Titans (4-8) could use the help.

Tennessee currently ranks next to last averaging 27 minutes, six seconds of time of possession on offense. The Titans are 28th with 17.4 first downs per game and are 23rd overall with 329.9 yards offense per game.

Munchak said he thinks Moore will become more comfortable with the Titans and noticed the veteran speaking up even last week. Moore took over some of the quarterback drills when new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains was busy elsewhere. Munchak's directions to Moore is feel comfortable, and the Titans want him speaking up whenever he sees something.

"He'll bring some interesting ideas, I think, as we go forward," Munchak said. "I think it's going to be a real good fit right now as we go forward and finish this thing up. I'm glad he's here."

Moore talked with Chris Johnson during Wednesday's practice with a couple of receiving tips, and Washington said the coach pulls individuals aside with little suggestions for a receiver to work his hands in a different way or driving better out of breaks on routes.

Colts interim coach Bruce Arians, who has a photo in his office with Moore looking over his shoulder, isn't surprised to see him back in coaching.

"When I saw him down in Jacksonville, he said he wanted to coach again, on his 74th birthday," Arians said of a conversation last month. "I said, 'God bless you. I hope you do.' He was adamant about it, so I know he's really happy about it."

Arians said Moore has a great way of keeping the game extremely simple for a quarterback. Having been around nearly every offense, Arians said he can see how Moore can help a young quarterback and young coordinator.

The Titans have that in Jake Locker. The quarterback said Moore has a great knack for explaining details someone might not think is important. Locker didn't know of Moore's history in Pittsburgh with Terry Bradshaw or working with Barry Sanders in Detroit.

"But I've followed football since I was a little guy and knowing that he was at Indy with Peyton was something that I was aware of," Locker said.

Loggains originally met Moore at the Manning passing camp and sees him as a great resource.

"Hopefully we play better, and you can see some of his wisdom rub off on some of these guys, myself included," Loggains said.

Notes: WR Kenny Britt did not practice but showed up late after being excused for personal reasons. ... LB Colin McCarthy (concussion) was limited, CB Alterraun Verner (illness) and WR Damian Williams (hamstring) did not practice along with LT Michael Roos (right knee).